Quiet Contemplation

Hutch takes a little time for some contemplation.

Post Sweet Revenge. First published 2021.

Picture prompt SHFAFF 2021.

The early morning, late summer sun lazily trickled its way through the branches of the sleepy willows until it caressed the skin of the slumbering pond. Small winged insects hovered just above the watery deeps. Every so often one would disappear from view as a fish caught sight of its shadow, broke the surface and devoured it in one swift bite. Pond skaters went about their business as the occasional leaf silently dropped down to float wherever the gentle breeze pushed it. The silence was warm, underpinned by the soft humming of drowsy flies. This was a tranquil place. The sort of place a person could catch his breath, slow down time if he needed, or contemplate the unfolding of life.

Hutch had been drawn here many times for that very reason. He’d sat here for the first time after taking a break from an early morning jog. Somehow the place had given him the resolve to take the final step to making a change in his life and become a police officer. The next time he had ventured here, it had witnessed his silent celebration that he had been accepted at Bay City Academy and would begin his training that Fall.

He’d also come here when he had no particular reason or need, just taking a contented pause on an early morning or evening run. Other times, he had come to soak up the calming atmosphere and try to re-centre himself after a day of stress or anguish.

Today as he sat and looked out over the water, his mood was one of overflowing gratitude and relief. Starsky was going to make it. He realised that this was the first time that he really believed it with his whole being; heart, mind and soul. This was the only time in weeks and weeks that he had felt he could do something as mundane and selfish as go for a jog before going back to the hospital, finally able to trust that Starsky would still be doing okay when he returned to his best friend’s bedside.

The doctors, nurses, Dobey, Huggy, Edith, Starsky’s Mom had been telling him for days that the danger of relapse was over, but he’d been playing guardian for so long he was struggling to lay down that duty even for a moment, let alone an hour or two. But now, after a lot of badgering from his partner, he’d done it, taken a bit of time for himself and found he’d been drawn back to this special place; a place that had seen his many moods and heard his many thoughts over the years.

As the mysterious magic of this beautiful natural scene once again seeped through him, Hutch looked out across the water and whispered a “Thank you.”

Then he slowly rose from the bench, ready to run home, shower and change and then return to the hospital. He hoped the feeling of peace would stay with him and be transferred to his best friend when he told him about his visit here. Maybe sometime soon, Starsky would finally be released from the hospital and Hutch could bring him here to share in the tranquility and healing harmony of this perfect place.